U.S. patent application number 15/176615 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-14 for liquid ejecting apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Naomi KIMURA, Takumi KOBAYASHI, Shoma KUDO.
Application Number | 20170355193 15/176615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60516266 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170355193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOBAYASHI; Takumi ; et
al. |
December 14, 2017 |
LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS
Abstract
A tank for containing liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejecting
apparatus which has a nozzle formation section where nozzles are
formed, which performs printing onto a printing medium by ejecting
the liquid from the nozzles toward the printing medium, and where a
front end of the nozzle formation section and a rear end of the
nozzle formation section are positioned along a discharge direction
of the printing medium when a discharge opening of the liquid
ejecting apparatus, which discharges the printing medium, is the
front side, wherein the tank is disposed so that the liquid surface
of the liquid which is contained in the tank is lower than the rear
end of the nozzle formation section in a first posture where the
nozzles face in the horizontal direction and the front end of the
nozzle formation section is positioned above the rear end.
Inventors: |
KOBAYASHI; Takumi;
(Matsumoto, JP) ; KUDO; Shoma; (Shiojiri, JP)
; KIMURA; Naomi; (Okaya, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
60516266 |
Appl. No.: |
15/176615 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 2/17509 20130101;
B41J 2/1752 20130101; B41J 2/17503 20130101; B41J 2/17513 20130101;
B41J 2/175 20130101; B41J 29/13 20130101; B41J 29/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B41J 2/175 20060101
B41J002/175 |
Claims
1. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a front surface facing
front when the liquid ejecting apparatus is in a used state and a
rear surface facing opposite to the front surface; a nozzle
formation section where nozzles are formed, the liquid electing
apparatus performing printing onto a printing medium using the
liquid by ejecting the liquid from the nozzles toward the printing
medium in the used state in which the nozzles are aligned along a
horizontal direction and face downward, the nozzle formation
section including a front end which is positioned closest to the
front surface and a rear end which is positioned farthest from the
front surface; a discharge opening provided on the front surface of
the liquid ejecting apparatus, the printing medium onto which
printing is performed being discharged via the discharge opening;
and a liquid container disposed so that a liquid surface of the
liquid which is contained in the liquid container is lower than the
rear end of the nozzle formation section when the liquid ejecting
apparatus is in a first posture, the first posture being a
non-usage posture where the rear surface is placed on a horizontal
flat surface and the front end of the nozzle formation section is
positioned above the rear end.
2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
liquid container has a liquid supply opening for supplying the
liquid which is contained in the liquid container to the liquid
ejecting apparatus, and the liquid container is disposed so that
the liquid surface is higher than the rear end of the nozzle
formation section and the liquid supply opening is higher than the
liquid surface when the liquid ejecting apparatus is in a second
posture, the second posture being a non-usage posture where the
front surface is placed on the horizontal flat surface and the
front end of the nozzle formation section is positioned below the
rear end.
3-4. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid container and the
like.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Ink jet printers are known in the prior art as one example
of a liquid ejecting apparatus. It is possible for an ink jet
printer to perform printing onto a printing medium, such as a paper
sheet for printing, by discharging ink, which is one example of a
liquid, from an ejecting head onto the printing medium. Among these
liquid ejecting apparatuses, liquid ejecting apparatuses are known
which have a liquid supplying apparatus where ink, which is
retained in a tank which is one example of a liquid container, is
supplied to an ejecting head (a printing head) via a tube (hose)
(for example, refer to PTL 1). Here, there are times when the
configuration where the liquid supplying apparatus is added to the
liquid ejecting apparatus is referred to below as a liquid ejecting
system.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication
No. 2012-20497
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] A technique is disclosed in PTL 1 described above where, in
a tank which has a liquid container where it is possible for liquid
to be contained and an air opening flow path where it is possible
for air to be introduced into the liquid container, it is possible
to reduce the possibility that liquid flows out from an air opening
flow path to the outside even when the posturing of the tank
changes. However, a technique, where it is difficult for liquid to
flow out from the ejecting head in a state where the liquid
ejecting apparatus which is connected to the tank tips over, is not
disclosed in PTL 1 described above.
Means to Solve the Problems
[0005] The present invention is carried out in order to resolve at
least a portion of the problems described above and can be realized
as the following aspects and applied examples.
Applied Example 1
[0006] A liquid container where liquid is contained in order to be
supplied with regard to a liquid ejecting apparatus which has a
nozzle formation section where nozzles are formed, which performs
printing onto a printing medium using liquid by ejecting the liquid
from the nozzles toward the printing medium, and where a front end
of the nozzle formation section and a rear end of the nozzle
formation section are positioned along a discharge direction of the
printing medium when a discharge opening of the liquid ejecting
apparatus, which discharges the printing medium onto' which
printing is performed via the discharge opening, is the front side,
wherein the liquid container is disposed so that the liquid surface
of the liquid which is contained in the liquid container is lower
than the rear end of the nozzle formation section in a first
posture where the nozzles face in the horizontal direction and the
front end of the nozzle formation section is positioned above the
rear end.
[0007] According to the liquid container in this applied example,
it is easy to suppress the liquid in the vicinity of the nozzles
from being pressurized by the liquid which is contained in the
liquid container since the liquid surface of the liquid which is
contained in the liquid container is lower than the nozzle
formation section even when the posture of the liquid ejecting
apparatus is changed to the first posture. Due to this, it is
possible to reduce the possibility that liquid flows out from the
nozzles even when the flow path for liquid between the liquid
container and the nozzle is not closed off in the first
posture.
Applied Example 2
[0008] A liquid container which is the liquid container described
above which has a liquid supply opening for supplying the liquid
which is contained in the liquid container to the liquid ejecting
apparatus and which is disposed so that the liquid surface is
higher than the rear end of the nozzle formation section and the
liquid supply opening is higher than the liquid surface in a second
posture where the nozzles face in the horizontal direction and the
front end of the nozzle formation section is positioned below the
rear end.
[0009] In this applied example, it is easy for pressure due to the
head of water of the liquid which is contained in the liquid
container to block the liquid supply opening since the liquid
supply opening is higher than the liquid surface of the liquid
which is contained in the liquid container even when the liquid
surface of the liquid which is contained in the liquid container is
higher than the nozzle formation section due to the posture of the
liquid ejecting apparatus changing to the second posture. Due to
this, it is possible to reduce the possibility that liquid flows
out from the nozzles even when the flow path for liquid between the
liquid container and the nozzle is not closed off in the second
posture.
Applied Example 3
[0010] A liquid container where it is possible for liquid to be
contained in order to be supplied with regard to a liquid ejecting
apparatus which has a nozzle formation section where nozzles are
formed, which performs printing onto a printing medium using liquid
by ejecting the liquid from the nozzles toward the printing medium,
and where a front end of the nozzle formation section and a rear
end of the nozzle formation section are positioned along a
discharge direction of the printing medium when a discharge opening
of the liquid ejecting apparatus, which discharges the printing
medium onto which printing is performed via the discharge opening,
is the front side, wherein the liquid container includes a first
liquid containing section and a second liquid containing section,
the first liquid containing section and the second liquid
containing section each have a liquid supply opening for supplying
the liquid which is contained in an inner section to the liquid
ejecting apparatus, the first liquid containing section is disposed
so that the liquid surface of the liquid which is contained in the
first liquid containing section is lower than the rear end of the
nozzle formation section in a first posture where the nozzles face
in the horizontal direction and the front end of the nozzle
formation section is positioned above the rear end and the second
liquid containing section is disposed so that the liquid surface of
the liquid which is contained in the second liquid containing
section is higher than the rear end of the nozzle formation section
and the liquid supply opening is higher than the liquid surface in
the first posture, and the second liquid containing section is
disposed so that the liquid surface of the liquid which is
contained in the second liquid containing section is lower than the
rear end of the nozzle formation section in a second posture where
the nozzles face in the horizontal direction and the front end of
the nozzle formation section is positioned below the rear end and
the first liquid containing section is disposed so that the liquid
surface of the liquid which is contained in the first liquid
containing section is higher than the rear end of the nozzle
formation section and the liquid supply opening is higher than the
liquid surface in the second posture.
[0011] According to the liquid container in this applied example,
it is easy to suppress the liquid in the vicinity of the nozzles
from being pressurized by the liquid which is contained in the
first liquid containing section since the liquid surface of the
liquid which is contained in the first liquid containing section is
lower than the nozzle formation section even when the posture of
the liquid ejecting apparatus is changed to the first posture. In
addition, it is easy for pressure due to the head of water of the
liquid which is contained in the second liquid containing section
to block the liquid supply opening since the liquid supply opening
is higher than the liquid surface of the liquid which is contained
in the second liquid containing section even when the liquid
surface of the liquid which is contained in the second liquid
containing section is higher than the nozzle formation section in
the first posture. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the
possibility that liquid flows out from the nozzles even when the
flow path for liquid between the liquid container and the nozzle is
not closed off in the first posture. In addition, it is easy to
suppress the liquid in the vicinity of the nozzles from being
pressurized by the liquid which is contained in the second liquid
containing section since the liquid surface of the liquid which is
contained in the second liquid containing section is lower than the
nozzle formation section even when the posture of the liquid
ejecting apparatus is changed to the second posture. In addition,
it is easy for pressure due to the head of water of the liquid
which is contained in the first liquid containing section to block
the liquid supply opening since the liquid supply opening is higher
than the liquid surface of the liquid which is contained in the
first liquid containing section even when the liquid surface of the
liquid which is contained in the first liquid containing section is
higher than the nozzle formation section in the second posture. Due
to this, it is possible to reduce the possibility that liquid flows
out from the nozzles even when the flow path for liquid between the
liquid container and the nozzle is not closed off in the second
posture.
Applied Example 4
[0012] A liquid container which is the liquid container described
above where the first liquid containing section and the second
liquid containing section are disposed so that a region between the
front end and the rear end of the nozzle formation section is
symmetrical in a front and rear direction, which is a direction
which links the front end and the rear end, with regard to a
hypothetical region which extends in a direction which intersects
with the front and rear direction.
[0013] In this applied example, it is possible for the first liquid
containing section and the second liquid containing section to be
disposed to line up in the front and rear direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating a liquid
ejecting system in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram illustrating a liquid
ejecting system in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram illustrating a liquid
ejecting system in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating a constituent
unit for a printer in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom surface diagram illustrating a printing
head in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram illustrating a breakdown of
a tank in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side surface diagram when a tank in an
embodiment of the present invention is viewed from a sheet member
side.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram illustrating a case in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram illustrating a case in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional diagram when an ink
introduction opening, a supply opening, and an air communication
opening in an embodiment of the present invention are cut along an
XY plane.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a side surface diagram when a tank in an
embodiment of the present invention is viewed from a sheet member
side.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a side surface diagram when a tank in an
embodiment of the present invention is viewed from a sheet member
side.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a front surface diagram illustrating a printing
head and a tank in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a bottom surface diagram illustrating a printing
head and a tank in Embodiment 1.
[0028] FIG. 15 is a bottom surface diagram illustrating a printing
head and a tank in Embodiment 1.
[0029] FIG. 16 is a bottom surface diagram illustrating a printing
head and a tank in Embodiment 2.
[0030] FIG. 17 is a bottom surface diagram illustrating a printing
head and a tank in Embodiment 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0031] An embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to the diagrams with an example of a liquid ejecting
system which includes an ink jet printer (which is referred to
below as a printer) which is one example of a liquid ejecting
apparatus. Here, there are times when the scale of the
configuration and members differs in each of the diagrams in order
for each of the configurations to be a size to such an extent where
recognition is possible.
[0032] A liquid ejecting system 1 in the embodiment of the present
invention has a printer 3 which is one example of a liquid ejecting
apparatus and a tank unit 5 as shown in FIG. 1. The printer 3 has a
first case 6. The first case 6 configures the outer shell of the
printer 3. The tank unit 5 has a second case 7 and a plurality of
(two or more) tanks 9. The first case 6 and the second case 7
configure the outer shell of the liquid ejecting system 1. The tank
9 is one example of a liquid container. It is possible for the
liquid ejecting system 1 to perform printing onto a printing medium
P such as a paper sheet for printing using ink which is one example
of a liquid.
[0033] Here, XYZ axes which are coordinate axes orthogonal to each
other are applied in FIG. 1. The XYZ axes are applied according to
requirements in other diagrams in which the axes are shown. For
each of the XYZ axes, the direction of the arrows indicates a +
direction (plus direction) and the opposite to the direction of the
arrows indicates a - direction (minus direction). In a state where
the liquid ejecting system 1 is being used, the liquid ejecting
system 1 is placed on a horizontal flat surface which is regulated
in the X axis and Y axis. In a state where the liquid ejecting
system 1 is being used, the Z axis is the axis which is orthogonal
to the horizontal flat surface and the -Z axis direction is
vertically downward.
[0034] A constituent unit 10 (FIG. 4) of the printer 3 is contained
in the first case 6. The constituent unit 10 is constituent parts
which execute printing actions in the printer 3. The details on the
constituent unit 10 will be described later. The plurality of tanks
9 are contained inside the second case 7 as shown in FIG. 1 and
each contain ink which is for printing. In the present embodiment,
four of the tanks 9 are provided. Among the four of the tanks 9,
the types of ink are different for each of the tanks 9. Four types
of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan are adopted as the types of ink
in the present embodiment. Then, one of each of the tank 9 which
contains black ink, the tank 9 which contains yellow ink, the tank
9 which contains magenta ink, and the tank 9 which contains cyan
ink are provided. The plurality of tanks 9 are provided on the
outer side of the first case 6 in the liquid ejecting system 1. For
this reason, the plurality of tanks 9 are not built into the first
case 6 which covers the constituent unit 10 in the liquid ejecting
system 1.
[0035] In addition, a sheet discharge section 11 which is one
example of a discharge opening is provided in the printer 3. In the
printer 3, the printing medium P is discharged from the sheet
discharge section 11. In the printer 3, the surface where the sheet
discharge section 11 is provided is set as a front surface 13. In
addition, the printer 3 has an operation panel 17 on an upper
surface 15 which intersects with the front surface 13. A power
source button 18A, other operation buttons 18B, and the like are
provided in the operation panel 17. The tank unit 5 is provided in
the first case 6 at a side section 19 which intersects with the
front surface 13 and the upper surface 15. A window section 21 is
provided in the second case 7. The window section 21 is provided in
the second case 7 at a side section 27 which intersects with a
front surface 23 and an upper surface 25. The window section 21 has
optical transparency. Then, the four tanks 9 described above are
provided at a position which overlaps with the window section 21.
For this reason, it is possible for an operator who is using the
liquid ejecting system 1 to visually confirm the four tanks 9 via
the window section 21.
[0036] At least a portion of parts in each of the tanks 9 which
oppose the window section 21 have optical transparency in the
present embodiment. It is possible to visually confirm the ink
inside the tanks 9 from parts in each of the tanks 9 which have
optical transparency. Accordingly, it is possible for an operator
to visually confirm the amount of ink in each of the tanks 9 by
visually confirming the four tanks 9 via the window section 21.
That is, it is possible for at least a portion of part in the tanks
9 which opposes the window section 21 to be utilized as a visually
confirming section where it is possible to visually confirm the
amount of ink. The first case 6 and the second case 7 are
configured from bodies which are separate from each other. For this
reason, it is possible for the second case 7 to be separated from
the first case 6 in the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 2. The
second case 7 is joined with the first case 6 using an attachment
pin 31. In addition, the second case 7 covers at least a portion of
the tanks 9 such as, for example, the front surface, the upper
surface, and the side surfaces as shown in FIG. 2. Here, an upper
limit mark 28 which indicates the upper limit for the amount of ink
and a lower limit mark 29 which indicates the lower limit for the
amount of ink are provided in each of the tanks 9 at parts which
oppose the window section 21. It is possible for an operator to
ascertain the amount of ink in each of the tanks 9 with the upper
limit mark 28 and the lower limit mark 29 as indicators.
[0037] In addition, the tank unit 5 has a support frame 32. The
four tanks 9 are supported by the support frame 32. The support
frame 32 is configured using a separate body to the first case 6.
For this reason, it is possible for the support frame 32 to be
separated from the first case 6 in the present embodiment as shown
in FIG. 3. The support frame 32 is joined with the first case 6
using an attachment pin 33. In this manner, the tank unit 5 (FIG.
1) is attached to the outer side of the first case 6 in the present
embodiment.
[0038] The printer 3 has a printing section 35 and supply tubes 36
as shown in FIG. 4 which is a perspective diagram illustrating the
constituent unit 10. The printing section 35 has a carriage 37, a
printing head 38, and four relay units 39. The printing head 38 and
the four relay units 39 are mounted on the carriage 37. The supply
tubes 36 have flexibility and are provided between the tanks 9 and
the relay units 39. The ink inside the tanks 9 is sent to the relay
units 39 via the supply tubes 36. The relay units 39 relay the ink,
which is supplied from the tanks 9 via the supply tubes 36, to the
printing head 38. The printing head 38 discharges the ink which is
supplied as ink droplets.
[0039] Here, details on the printing head 38 will be described. The
printing head 38 has a nozzle surface 41 as shown in FIG. 5 which
is a bottom surface diagram. A plurality of nozzles 42 which
discharge ink droplets are formed in the nozzle surface 41. Here,
the nozzles 42 are exaggerated and the number of the nozzles 42 is
reduced in FIG. 5 so that it is easy for the nozzles 42 to be
clearly seen. The plurality of nozzles 42 in the printing head 38
are configured from eight nozzle rows 43 which are aligned along
the X axis. The eight nozzle rows 43 line up in a state so as to be
spaced from each other along the Y axis. The plurality of nozzles
42 in each of the nozzle rows 43 are formed with a predetermined
nozzle spacing L along the X axis. Below, in cases where each of
the eight nozzle rows 43 are to be separately identified, the eight
nozzle rows 43 are each labelled as a nozzle row 43A, a nozzle row
43B, a nozzle row 43C, a nozzle row 43D, a nozzle row 43E, a nozzle
row 43F, a nozzle row 43G, and a nozzle row 43H.
[0040] In the printing head 38, the nozzle row 43A and the nozzle
row 43B are shifted away from each other by a distance of L/2 along
the X axis. The nozzle row 43C and the nozzle row 43D are also
shifted away from each other by a distance of L/2 along the X axis.
In the same manner, the nozzle row 43E and the nozzle row 43F are
also shifted away from each other by a distance of L/2 along the X
axis, and the nozzle row 43G and the nozzle row 43H are also
shifted away from each other by a distance of L/2 along the X axis.
The eight nozzle rows 43 in the printing head 38 are segmented for
each type of ink. In the present embodiment, the nozzles 42 which
belong to the nozzle row 43A and the nozzle row 43B discharge black
(K) ink as ink droplets. The nozzles 42 which belong to the nozzle
row 43C and the nozzle row 43D discharge cyan (C) ink as ink
droplets. The nozzles 42 which belong to the nozzle row 43E and the
nozzle row 43F discharge magenta (M) ink as ink droplets. The
nozzles 42 which belong to the nozzle row 43G and the nozzle row
43H discharge yellow (Y) ink as ink droplets.
[0041] The plurality of nozzles 42 in the nozzle surface 41 form a
nozzle formation section 44. The nozzle formation section 44 is a
region which includes all of the nozzles 42, which perform
discharging of ink droplets, out of the plurality of nozzles 42. In
addition, the nozzle formation section 44 is a region which is
surrounded by the outer edges of the plurality of nozzles 42, which
are positioned on the far outer edges among the nozzles 42 which
are included in the nozzle formation section 44, being joined
together over the shortest possible distance. The nozzle formation
section 44 is regulated by the plurality of nozzles 42 which are
positioned on the far outer edges among the nozzles 42 which are
included in the nozzle formation section 44. The nozzles 42 which
do not communicate with the supply tubes 36 are not included among
the plurality of nozzles 42 which regulate the nozzle formation
section 44. In the present embodiment, in the liquid ejecting
system 1 which is shown in FIG. 1, the front surface 13 side where
the sheet discharge section 11 is provided is defined as the front
side and the opposite side to the front surface 13 side is defined
as the rear side. Then, in the present embodiment, in the bottom
surface diagram of the nozzle surface 41 (FIG. 5), the part which
is positioned farthest to the Y axis direction out of the nozzle
formation section 44, that is, the part which is positioned on the
front side of the liquid ejecting system 1 is defined as a front
end 45 of the nozzle formation section 44. In addition, the part
which is positioned farthest to the -Y axis direction out of the
nozzle formation section 44 is defined as a rear end 46 of the
nozzle formation section 44.
[0042] In addition, the printer 3 which is shown has a medium
transport mechanism (which is not shown in the diagram) and a head
transport mechanism (which is not shown in the diagram) as shown in
FIG. 4. The medium transport mechanism transports the printing
medium P along the Y axis direction by a transport roller 51 (FIG.
4) being driven due to motive force from a motor which is not shown
in the diagram. The head transport mechanism transports the
carriage 37 along the X axis direction by motive force from a motor
53 being transferred to the carriage 37 via a timing belt 55. The
printing head 38 is mounted on the carriage 37. For this reason, it
is possible for the printing head 38 to be transported in the X
axis direction via the carriage 37 using the head transport
mechanism. Here, the printing head 38 is supported by the carriage
37 in a state of facing the printing medium P. Printing is carried
out on the printing medium P by ink being discharged from the
printing head 38 while the relative position of the printing head
38 with regard to the printing medium P is changed using the medium
transport mechanism and the head transport mechanism.
[0043] The tank 9 will be described. The tank 9 has a case 61 which
is one example of a tank main body and a sheet member 63 as shown
in FIG. 6. The case 61 is configured using, for example, a
synthetic resin such as nylon or polypropylene. In addition, the
sheet member 63 is formed in a film form using a synthetic resin
(for example, nylon, polypropylene, or the like) and has
flexibility. In the present embodiment, the sheet member 63 has
optical transparency. The tank 9 has a configuration where the case
61 and the sheet member 63 are bonded together. A bonding section
64 is provided in the case 61. Shading is carried out for the
bonding section 64 in FIG. 6 so that the configuration is easy to
understand. The sheet member 63 is bonded together with the bonding
section 64 of the case 61. In the present embodiment, the case 61
and the sheet member 63 are bonded together through adhesion.
[0044] The tank 9 has a containing section 65 and a communication
section 67 as shown in FIG. 7. The communication section 67 has an
air chamber 68 and a communication path 73. Ink is contained in the
tank 9 inside the containing section 65. Here, the state where the
tank 9 is viewed from the sheet member 63 side is shown in FIG. 7
and the case 61 which is beyond the sheet member 63 is shown in the
diagram. The containing section 65, the air chamber 68, and the
communication path 73 are partitioned from each other by the
bonding section 64. The case 61 has a base wall 80, a first wall
81, a second wall 82, a third wall 83, a fourth wall 84, a fifth
wall 85, a sixth wall 86, and a seventh wall 87. The air chamber 68
and a portion of the communication path 73 are disposed on the
second wall 82 on the opposite side to the containing section 65
side. The containing section 65 is surrounded by the first wall 81,
the second wall 82, the third wall 83, and the fourth wall 84 when
the base wall 80 is viewed as a planar view from the sheet member
63 side. Here, the fourth wall 84 faces the window section 21 of
the second case 7. That is, the part in the tank 9 which has
optical transparency is included in the fourth wall 84.
[0045] In addition, the air chamber 68 is surrounded by the second
wall 82, the fifth wall 85, the sixth wall 86, and the seventh wall
87 when the base wall 80 is viewed as a planar view from the sheet
member 63 side. Here, the base wall 80 of the containing section 65
and the base wall 80 of the air chamber 68 are the same wall. That
is, in the present embodiment, the base wall 80 is shared by the
containing section 65 and the air chamber 68. The first wall 81,
the second wall 82, the third wall 83, and the fourth wall 84 each
intersect with the base wall 80 as shown in FIG. 8. The second wall
82 is positioned more to the Z axis direction side than the first
wall 81. The first wall 81 and the second wall 82 are opposed to
each other so as to interpose the base wall 80. The fourth wall 84
is positioned more to the X axis direction side than the third wall
83. The third wall 83 and the fourth wall 84 are opposed to each
other so as to interpose the base wall 80. The third wall 83
intersects with each of the first wall 81 and the second wall 82.
The fourth wall 84 also intersects with each of the first wall 81
and the second wall 82.
[0046] The first wall 81, the second wall 82, the third wall 83,
and the fourth wall 84 protrude from the base wall 80 in the -Y
axis direction. Due to this, a recess section 91 is configured
using the first wall 81, the second wall 82, the third wall 83, and
the fourth wall 84 which extend from the main wall, where the base
wall 80 is the main wall, in the -Y axis direction. The recess
section 91 is configured with an orientation so as to be recessed
toward the Y axis direction. The recess section 91 is open toward
the -Y axis direction, that is, toward the sheet member 63 (FIG. 6)
side. In other words, the recess section 91 is provided with an
orientation so as to be recessed toward the Y axis direction, that
is, toward the opposite side to the sheet member 63 (FIG. 6) side.
Then, when the sheet member 63 is bonded together with the case 61,
the containing section 65 is configured due to the recess section
91 being closed off by the sheet member 63. Here, each of the base
wall 80 and the first wall 81 to the seventh wall 87 are not
limited to being flat walls and may be walls include
irregularities.
[0047] The fifth wall 85 protrudes from the second wall 82 toward
the opposite side of the second wall 82 to the first wall 81 side,
that is, toward the +Z axis direction side of the second wall 82 as
shown in FIG. 7. The sixth wall 86 protrudes from the second wall
82 toward the opposite side of the second wall 82 to the first wall
81 side, that is, toward the +Z axis direction side of the second
wall 82. The sixth wall 86 is positioned more to the X axis
direction side than the fifth wall 85. The fifth wall 85 and the
sixth wall 86 are provided at positions which are face to face to
each other so as to interpose the air chamber 68. The seventh wall
87 is positioned more to the Z axis direction side than the second
wall 82. The second wall 82 and the seventh wall 87 are provided at
positions which are face to face to each other so as to interpose
the air chamber 68. The fifth wall 85 intersects with each of the
second wall 82 and the seventh wall 87. The sixth wall 86 also
intersects with each of the second wall 82 and the seventh wall
87.
[0048] The fifth wall 85, the sixth wall 86, and the seventh wall
87 protrudes from the base wall 80 in the -Y axis direction as
shown in FIG. 8. Due to this, a recess section 99 is configured
using the second wall 82, the fifth wall 85, the sixth wall 86, and
the seventh wall 87 which extend from the main wall, where the base
wall 80 is the main wall, in the -Y axis direction. The recess
section 99 is configured with an orientation so as to be recessed
toward the Y axis direction. The recess section 99 is open toward
the -Y axis direction, that is, toward the sheet member 63 (FIG. 6)
side. In other words, the recess section 99 is provided with an
orientation so as to be recessed toward the Y axis direction, that
is, toward the opposite side to the sheet member 63 (FIG. 6) side.
Then, when the sheet member 63 is bonded together with the case 61,
the air chamber 68 is configured due to the recess section 99 being
closed off by the sheet member 63. Here, the amounts of protruding
by the first wall 81 to the seventh wall 87 from the base wall 80
are set to amounts of protruding which are the same to each
other.
[0049] The third wall 83 and the fifth wall 85 have a difference in
levels. The third wall 83 is positioned more to the fourth wall 84
side than the fifth wall 85, that is, more to the X axis direction
side than the fifth wall 85. In addition, the fourth wall 84 and
the sixth wall 86 have a difference in levels. The sixth wall 86 is
positioned more to the third wall 83 side than the fourth wall 84,
that is, more to the -X axis direction side than the fourth wall
84. Then, an ink introduction section 101 is provided between the
fourth wall 84 and the sixth wall 86 in a state when the base wall
80 is viewed as a planar view from the sheet member 63 side. The
ink introduction section 101 is provided in the second wall 82.
[0050] An overhang section 105 is provided in the case 61 as shown
in FIG. 8. The communication path 73 is provided in the overhang
section 105. The overhang section 105 has a part 105A which
overhangs from the second wall 82 toward the Z axis direction side
along the edge of the opening of the recess section 91 in a region
of the second wall 82 which is more to the X axis direction side
than the sixth wall 86. The part 105A overhangs from the sixth wall
86 toward the X axis direction side along the edge of the opening
of the recess section 99 in the sixth wall 86. In addition, the
overhang section 105 has a part 105B which overhangs from the
seventh wall 87 toward the Z axis direction side. In addition, the
overhang section 105 has a part 105C which overhangs from the fifth
wall 85 toward the -X axis direction side along the edge of the
opening of the recess section 99 in the fifth wall 85. In addition,
the overhang section 105 has a part 105D which overhangs from the
third wall 83 toward the -X axis direction side along the edge of
the opening of the recess section 91 in the third wall 83. The
communication path 73 is configured as a groove 108 which is
provided in the overhang section 105 with an orientation so as to
be recessed toward the opposite side to the sheet member 63 (FIG.
6) side.
[0051] Here, a recess section 109 is provided inside the recess
section 91 as shown in FIG. 8. The recess section 109 is surrounded
by an eight wall 111, a ninth wall 112, a tenth wall 113, and the
fourth wall 84. The recess section 109 is provided with an
orientation so as to be recessed from the first wall 81 toward the
opposite side of the first wall 81 to the second wall 82, that is,
from the first wall 81 to the -Z axis direction side. The eight
wall 111 and the ninth wall 112 are each provided in the first wall
81 and protrude from the first wall 81 toward the opposite side of
the first wall 81 to the second wall 82, that is, from the first
wall 81 to the -Z axis direction side.
[0052] The eight wall 111 is positioned between the fourth wall 84
and the third wall 83 and opposes the fourth wall 84 so as to
interpose the tenth wall 113. The ninth wall 112 is positioned
between the base wall 80 and the sheet member 63 (FIG. 6) and
opposes the sheet member 63 so as to interpose the tenth wall 113.
The tenth wall 113 is positioned more to the opposite side to the
second wall 82 side than the first wall 81, that is, more to the -Z
axis direction side than the first wall 81. The tenth wall 113
opposes the second wall 82. The eight wall 111 intersects with the
first wall 81, the ninth wall 112, and the tenth wall 113. The
ninth wall 112 intersects with the first wall 81, the fourth wall
84, and the tenth wall 113. The tenth wall 113 intersects with the
fourth wall 84.
[0053] The eight wall 111, the ninth wall 112, the tenth wall 113,
and the fourth wall 84 which surround the recess section 109
configure a supply section 114 as shown in FIG. 8. A connection
section 115 is provided in the supply section 114. The connection
section 115 is provided in the eight wall 111. The connection
section 115 is provided in the eight wall 111 on the opposite side
to the recess section 109 side. The connection section 115
protrudes from the eight wall 111 toward the opposite side to the
ninth wall 112 side, that is, from the eight wall 111 to the third
wall 83 side. The connection section 115 is formed in a cylindrical
shape as shown in FIG. 9. A supply opening 116 is formed in the
connection section 115. The supply opening 116 is an opening which
is formed in the connection section 115 and is an outlet for ink
from the tank 9. The supply tube 36 (FIG. 4) is connected with the
connection section 115. Ink which is contained in the tank 9 is
sent from the connection section 115 to the supply tube 36 through
the supply opening 116. Ink which is sent to the supply tube 36 is
lead to the printing head 38 by the supply tube 36.
[0054] In addition, an air communication opening 118 is provided in
the seventh wall 87 as shown in FIG. 8. The air communication
opening 118 protrudes from the seventh wall 87 toward the opposite
side of the seventh wall 87 to the second wall 82 side, that is, to
the Z axis direction side of the seventh wall 87. The air
communication opening 118 is provided at a position which overlaps
with the recess section 99 when the seventh wall 87 is viewed as a
planar view, that is, when the seventh wall 87 is viewed as a
planar view over the XY plane. The air communication opening 118
communicates between the outer side of the case 61 and the inner
side of the recess section 99. The air communication opening 118 is
a flow path for air where it is possible for air from the outer
side of the case 61 to be introduced to the inner side of the
recess section 99. Here, the bonding section 64 is provided in the
case 61 along the contours of each of the recess section 91, the
recess section 99, the recess section 109, and the communication
path 73.
[0055] The sheet member 63 faces the base wall 80 so as to
interpose the first wall 81 to the seventh wall 87 as shown in FIG.
6. The sheet member 63 has a size which covers the recess section
91, the recess section 99, the recess section 109, and the overhang
section 105 (FIG. 8) in a planar view. The sheet member 63 is
adhered to the bonding section 64. Due to this, the recess section
91, the recess section 99, the recess section 109, and the
communication path 73 are sealed using the sheet member 63. For
this reason, it is possible for the sheet member 63 to be seen as a
lid with regard to the case 61.
[0056] The communication path 73 has a communication opening 121
and a communication opening 122 as shown in FIG. 7. The
communication opening 121 is an open section which opens toward the
inner side of the air chamber 68. The communication opening 122 is
an open section which opens toward the inner side of the containing
section 65. The air chamber 68 is linked with the containing
section 65 from the communication opening 121 through the
communication opening 122 via the communication path 73. Due to the
above, the containing section 65 is linked with the outside of the
tank 9 via the communication path 73, the air chamber 68, and the
air communication opening 118. That is, the communication section
67 is link to communicate between the air communication opening 118
and the containing section 65. Air which flows from the air
communication opening 118 into the inside of the air chamber 68
flows into the inside of the containing section 65 via the
communication path 73.
[0057] The ink introduction section 101 is provided in the second
wall 82. The ink introduction section 101 is provided inside a
recess section 131 which is surrounded by the sixth wall 86, the
overhang section 105, the fourth wall 84, and the base wall 80 as
shown in FIG. 8. As described previously, the overhang section 105
protrudes more to the seventh wall 87 side than the second wall 82.
In addition, the sixth wall 86 also protrudes more to the seventh
wall 87 side than the second wall 82. In the same manner, the base
wall 80 and the fourth wall 84 also protrude more to the seventh
wall 87 side than the second wall 82 in the present embodiment.
Then, the overhang section 105 intersects with both the fourth wall
84 and the sixth wall 86. In addition, the base wall 80 intersects
with both the fourth wall 84 and the sixth wall 86. For this
reason, the region in the second wall 82, which is more to the
fourth wall 84 side than the sixth wall 86, configures the recess
section 131 which is surrounded by the sixth wall 86, the overhang
section 105, the fourth wall 84, and the base wall 80. The recess
section 131 is provided with an orientation so as to be recessed
from the second wall 82 side toward the first wall 81 side.
[0058] Due to the configuration described above, the ink
introduction section 101 is surrounded by the sixth wall 86, the
overhang section 105, the fourth wall 84, and the base wall 80. In
other words, the ink introduction section 101 is provided inside a
region in the second wall 82 which is surrounded by the sixth wall
86, the overhang section 105, the fourth wall 84, and the base wall
80. Then, the recess section 131 has a function as an ink receiving
section. It is possible for the ink receiving section to, for
example, receive ink which has leaked out from the ink introduction
section 101 and ink which drips down during insertion. In this
manner, the recess section 131 has a function as the ink receiving
section which receives ink.
[0059] The ink introduction section 101 has an opening 132 and a
side wall 133 as shown in FIG. 10 which is a cross sectional
diagram when the ink introduction section 101, the supply opening
116, and the air communication opening 118 are cut along the XZ
plane. The opening 132 is a through hole which is provided in the
second wall 82. The opening 132 is an intersection section where
the ink introduction section 101 and the recess section 91 (the
containing section 65) intersect. It is possible to also adopt a
configuration where the side wall 133 protrudes to the inner side
of the recess section 91 (the containing section 65) as the
configuration of the ink introduction section 101. Even with a
configuration where the side wall 133 protrudes to the inner side
of the recess section 91 (the containing section 65), the
intersection section where the ink introduction section 101 and the
recess section 91 (the containing section 65) intersect is defined
as the opening 132. The recess section 91 is linked with the outer
side of the recess section 91 via the opening 132 which is a
through hole. The side wall 133 is provided on the second wall 82
on the opposite side to the first wall 81 side, surrounds the
periphery of the opening 132, and forms the ink introduction path.
The side wall 133 protrudes from the second wall 82 toward the
opposite side to the first wall 81 side. Here, in the present
embodiment, the side wall 133 protrudes more to the opposite side
to the first wall 81 side than each of the base wall 80 and the
fourth wall 84. It is possible for prevent ink which is held in the
recess section 131 from flowing into the opening 132 due to the
side wall 133.
[0060] Ink 141 is contained in the tank 9 in an inner section of
the containing section 65 as shown in FIG. 11 which is a side
surface diagram when the tank 9 is viewed from the sheet member 63
side. In FIG. 11, illustration of the sheet member 63 is omitted
and shading is carried out for the bonding section 64 so that it is
easy for the configuration to be clearly seen. The ink 141 inside
the containing section 65 is supplied from the supply opening 116
(FIG. 10) which is formed in the connection section 115 to the
printing head 38. In the present embodiment, the supply tube 36 is
connected with the supply opening 116 and there is a cap 143 on the
ink introduction section 101 in a state where the ink ejecting
system 1 is being used for printing. The ink 141 inside the
containing section 65 reaches from the supply opening 116 to the
printing head 38 due to suction inside the supply tube 36 via the
relay unit 39.
[0061] The ink 141 inside the containing section 65 is sent to the
printing head 38 side in accompaniment with printing using the
printing head 38. For this reason, pressure inside the containing
section 65 is lower than air pressure in accompaniment with
printing using the printing head 38. When pressure inside the
containing section 65 is lower than air pressure, air inside the
containing section 65 flows into the inside of the containing
section 65 through the communication path 73. Due to this, it is
easy for pressure inside the containing section 65 to be maintained
at air pressure. Due to the above, the ink 141 inside the tank 9 is
supplied to the printing head 38. When the ink 141 inside the
containing section 65 in the tank 9 is consumed and the remaining
amount of the ink 141 becomes low, it is possible for an operator
to replenish new ink into the inside of the containing section 65
from the ink introduction section 101.
[0062] It is possible for the communication path 73 to be segmented
into a first flow path 151, a second flow path 152, a third flow
path 153, a fourth flow path 154, a fifth flow path 155, and a
sixth flow path 156 as shown in FIG. 12. The first flow path 151 is
toward the fourth wall 84 along the second wall 82, that is, along
the X axis direction with the communication opening 121 as a
starting point. The first flow path 151 reaches from the
communication opening 121 to a reverse section 161. The reverse
section 161 is a part where the orientation of the flow path which
is the communication path 73 is reversed. The orientation of the
flow path is reversed from the X axis direction to the -X axis
direction at the reverse section 161. Here, in the flow path for
air which reaches from the air communication opening 118 to the
containing section 65, the air communication opening 118 side is
set as the upstream side and the communication opening 122 side is
set as the downstream side.
[0063] The second flow path 152 is from the reverse section 161
toward the sixth wall 86 along the extending direction of the first
flow path 151, that is, along the -X axis direction. The second
flow path 152 reaches from the reverse section 161 to a curve
section 162. The curve section 162 is a part where the orientation
of the flow path which is the communication path 73 is curved. The
orientation of the flow path is curved from the -X axis direction
to the Z axis direction at the curve section 162. The third flow
path 153 is from the curve section 162 toward the seventh wall 87
along the sixth wall 86, that is, along the Z axis direction. The
third flow path 153 reaches from the curve section 162 to a curve
section 163. The curve section 163 is a part where the orientation
of the flow path which is the communication path 73 is curved. The
orientation of the flow path is curved from the Z axis direction to
the -X axis direction at the curve section 163.
[0064] The fourth flow path 154 is from the curve section 163
toward the fifth wall 85 along the seventh wall 87, that is, along
the -X axis direction. The fourth flow path 154 is positioned more
to the Z axis direction side (above) than the air chamber 68. The
fourth flow path 154 reaches from the curve section 163 to a curve
section 164. The curve section 164 is a part where the orientation
of the flow path which is the communication path 73 is curved. The
orientation of the flow path is curved from the -X axis direction
to the -Z axis direction at the curve section 164. The fifth flow
path 155 is from the curve section 164 toward the first wall 81
along the fifth wall 85, that is, along the -Z axis direction. The
fifth flow path 155 reaches from the curve section 164 to a reverse
section 165.
[0065] As described above, the fourth flow path 154 is positioned
above the air chamber 68. That is, a portion of the communication
path 73 is positioned above the air chamber 68. According to this
configuration, it is difficult for ink, which flows from the
containing section 65 into the inside of the communication path 73,
to rise up above the air chamber 68 due to the action of gravity.
For this reason, it is difficult for ink, which flows from the
containing section 65 into the inside of the communication path 73,
to reach the air chamber 68. As a result, it is easy to suppress
ink, which flows from the containing section 65 into the inside of
the communication path 73, to leak out from the tank 9.
[0066] In addition, the third flow path 153 and the fifth flow path
155 are positioned in the tank 9 on opposite sides to each other so
as to interpose the air chamber 68. According to this
configuration, it is possible for the flow path of the
communication path 73 to be lengthened due to the communication
path 73 being formed so as to wind around the periphery of the air
chamber 68 by utilizing the space in the periphery of the air
chamber 68. Lengthening of the flow path of the communication path
73 is preferable from the point of view that it is difficult for
the liquid component of ink inside the containing section 65 to
evaporate, from the point of view that it is difficult for ink
which flows from the containing section 65 into the inside of the
communication path 73 to reach the air chamber 68, and the
like.
[0067] The reverse section 165 is a part where the orientation of
the flow path which is the communication path 73 is reversed. The
orientation of the flow path is reversed from the -Z axis direction
to the +Z axis direction at the reverse section 165. The sixth flow
path 156 is from the reverse section 165 toward the second wall 82
along the third wall 83, that is, along the Z axis direction. The
sixth flow path 156 reaches from the reverse section 165 to the
communication opening 122 through a curve section 166. The curve
section 166 is a part where the orientation of the flow path which
is the communication path 73 is curved. The communication path 73
is linked with the inside of the containing section 65 via the
communication opening 122 with the orientation of the flow path
curved from the +Z axis direction to the X axis direction at the
curve section 166.
[0068] In the present embodiment, the nozzle surface 41 of the
printing head 38 is positioned above the upper limit mark 28 in the
tank 9 as shown in FIG. 13 with the liquid ejecting system 1 in a
posture in a state of being used where the liquid ejecting system 1
is placed along a flat horizontal surface (referred to as usage
posture). For this reason, as long as the amount of ink inside the
tank 9 does not surpass the upper limit, a liquid surface 171 of
the ink inside the tank 9 is positioned below the nozzle surface
41. For this reason, the head of water in the tank 9 is lower than
the head of water in the printing head 38. Due to this, it is easy
to suppress the liquid in the vicinity of the nozzles 42 (FIG. 5)
from being pressurized by the ink which is contained in the tank 9.
As a result, it is possible to suppress ink from flowing out from
the nozzles 42. Furthermore, the nozzle surface 41 is positioned
above an inner wall 82A of the second wall 82 in the present
embodiment. For this reason, the liquid surface 171 of the ink is
positioned below the nozzle surface 41 even when ink is introduced
into the inside of the tank 9 to surpass the upper limit mark 28.
Due to this, it is possible to further suppress ink from flowing
out from the nozzles 42.
[0069] Embodiments of the positioning of the tank 9 with regard to
the printing head 38 will be described. Here, the embodiment of the
positioning of the tank 9 with regard to the printing head 38 along
the Y axis will be described.
Embodiment 1
[0070] In Embodiment 1, in a first posture where the front surface
13 of the liquid ejecting system 1 which is shown in FIG. 1 faces
vertically upward, the four tanks 9 are disposed so that the liquid
surface 171 of the ink inside the tanks 9 is lower than the rear
end 46 of the nozzle formation section 44 of the nozzle surface 41
as shown in FIG. 14. Here, in the first posture, the Y axis
direction is the vertically upward direction and the -Y axis
direction is the vertically downward direction. In the first
posture, the plurality of nozzles 42 which are shown in FIG. 5 face
in the horizontal direction and the front end 45 of the nozzle
formation section 44 is positioned above the rear end 46.
[0071] In Embodiment 1, the liquid surface 171 of the ink is
positioned below the plurality of nozzles 42 (FIG. 5) since the
tanks 9 are disposed so that the liquid surface 171 of the ink
inside the tanks 9 is lower than the rear end 46 of the nozzle
formation section 44 in the first posture. For this reason, the
head of water in the tanks 9 is lower than the head of water in the
printing head 38. Due to this, it is easy to suppress the ink in
the vicinity of the nozzles 42 from being pressurized by the ink
which is contained in the tanks 9. As a result, it is possible to
suppress ink from flowing out from the nozzles 42. Due to this, it
is possible to reduce the possibility that ink flows out from the
nozzles 42 even when the flow path for ink between the tanks 9 and
the printing head 38 is not closed off in the first posture.
[0072] Furthermore, the tanks 9 are disposed in Embodiment 1 at
positions so that the liquid surface 171 inside the tanks 9 is
higher than the rear end 46 of the nozzle formation section 44 of
the nozzle surface 41 as shown in FIG. 15 in a second posture where
the front surface 13 of the liquid ejecting system 1 which is shown
in FIG. 1 faces vertically downward. Furthermore, the tanks 9 are
disposed in the second posture so that the connection sections 115
of the tanks 9 are higher than the liquid surface 171. Here, in the
second posture, the -Y axis direction is the vertically upward
direction and the Y axis direction is the vertically downward
direction. In the second posture, the plurality of nozzles 42 which
are shown in FIG. 5 face in the horizontal direction and the front
end 45 of the nozzle formation section 44 is positioned below the
rear end 46.
[0073] In Embodiment 1, the connection sections 115 of the tanks 9
are higher than the liquid surface 171 even when the liquid surface
171 is higher than the nozzle formation section 44 in the second
posture. That is, in Embodiment 1, the supply openings 116 (FIG. 9)
of the tanks 9 are higher than the liquid surface 171 even when the
liquid surface 171 is higher than the nozzle formation section 44
in the second posture. Due to this, it is easy for pressure due to
the head of water of the ink which is contained in the tanks 9 to
block the liquid supply openings 116. For this reason, it is easy
to suppress the ink in the vicinity of the nozzles 42 from being
pressurized by the ink which is contained in the tanks 9. As a
result, it is possible to suppress ink from flowing out from the
nozzles 42. For this reason, in Embodiment 1, it is possible to
reduce the possibility that ink flows out from the nozzles 42 even
when the flow path for ink between the tanks 9 and the printing
head 38 is not closed off in the second posture.
[0074] In Embodiment 1 described above, the four tanks 9 which
configure the tank unit 5 correspond to the liquid containers. In
Embodiment 1, the four tanks 9 which configure the tank unit 5 are
provided independently to each other. However, the configuration of
the tank unit 5 is not limited to this. It is possible to adopt a
configuration as the configuration of the tank unit 5 where, for
example, the four tanks 9 which configure the tank unit 5 are
integrated. As the configuration where the four tanks 9 are
integrated, it is possible to adopt a configuration where, for
example, the four tanks 9 are integrated by being linked (bonded)
together. In addition, as the configuration where the four tanks 9
are integrated, it is also possible to adopt a configuration where,
for example, the four tanks 9 are integrally formed in an integral
formation or the like and the inner sections are partitioned into
four chambers. In this case, each of the four chambers which are
configured due to the inner section being partitioned corresponds
to the liquid containing sections. In addition, the number of the
liquid containers and the liquid containing sections may be a
plurality (two or more) or may be just one.
Embodiment 2
[0075] In Embodiment 2, the four tanks 9 are segmented into a first
group 173 and a second group 174 as shown in FIG. 16. In Embodiment
2, two of the tanks 9 which are a tank 9A and a tank 9B out of the
four tanks 9 belong to the first group 173. In addition, two of the
tanks 9 which are a tank 9C and a tank 9D out of the four tanks 9
belong to the second group 174. In Embodiment 2, the tank 9A and
the tank 9B are disposed so that the liquid surface 171 of the ink
inside the tanks 9 which belong to the first group 173 is lower
than the rear end 46 of the nozzle formation section 44 of the
nozzle surface 41 in the first posture. In addition, the tank 9C
and the tank 9D are disposed at positions so that the liquid
surface 171 of the ink inside the tanks 9 which belong to the
second group 174 is higher than the front end 45 of the nozzle
formation section 44 in the first posture. Furthermore, the tank 9C
and the tank 9D are disposed so that the connection sections 115 of
the tanks 9 which belong to the second group 174 are higher than
the liquid surface 171 in the first posture.
[0076] In Embodiment 2, the tank 9A and the tank 9B are disposed so
that the liquid surface 171 of the ink inside the tanks 9 which
belong to the first group 173 is lower than the rear end 46 of the
nozzle formation section 44 in the first posture. For this reason,
the liquid surface 171 of the ink in the tank 9A and the tank 9B is
positioned below the plurality of nozzles 42 (FIG. 5). As such, the
head of water in the tank 9A and the tank 9B is lower than the head
of water in the printing head 38. Due to this, it is easy to
suppress the ink in the vicinity of the nozzles 42 from being
pressurized by the ink which is contained in the tank 9A and the
tank 9B. As a result, it is possible to suppress ink from flowing
out from the nozzles 42.
[0077] Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, the connection sections 115 of
the tanks 9 are higher than the liquid surface 171 even when the
liquid surface 171 inside the tanks 9 which belong to the second
group 174 is higher than the nozzle formation section 44 in the
first posture. That is, in Embodiment 2, the supply openings 116
(FIG. 9) of the tanks 9 are higher than the liquid surface 171 even
when the liquid surface 171 inside the tanks 9 which belong to the
second group 174 is higher than the nozzle formation section 44 in
the first posture. Due to this, it is easy for pressure due to the
head of water of the ink which is contained in the tank 9C and the
tank 9D to block the liquid supply openings 116. For this reason,
it is easy to suppress the ink in the vicinity of the nozzles 42
from being pressurized by the ink which is contained in the tank 9C
and the tank 9D. As a result, it is possible to suppress ink from
flowing out from the nozzles 42. As a result of the above, in
Embodiment 2, it is possible to reduce the possibility that ink
flows out from the nozzles 42 even when the flow path for ink
between the tanks 9 and the printing head 38 is not closed off in
the first posture.
[0078] Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, the tank 9C and the tank 9D
are disposed so that the liquid surface 171 of the ink inside the
tanks 9 which belong to the second group 174 is lower than the
front end 45 of the nozzle formation section 44 of the nozzle
surface 41 in the second posture as shown in FIG. 17. In addition,
the tank 9A and the tank 9B are disposed at positions so that the
liquid surface 171 of the ink inside the tanks 9 which belong to
the first group 173 is higher than the rear end 46 of the nozzle
formation section 44 in the second posture. Furthermore, the tank
9A and the tank 9B are disposed so that the connection sections 115
of the tanks 9 which belong to the first group 173 are higher than
the liquid surface 171 in the second posture.
[0079] In Embodiment 2, the tank 9C and the tank 9D are disposed so
that the liquid surface 171 of the ink inside the tanks 9 which
belong to the second group 174 is lower than the front end 45 of
the nozzle formation section 44 in the second posture. For this
reason, the liquid surface 171 of the ink in the tank 9C and the
tank 9D is positioned below the plurality of nozzles 42 (FIG. 5).
As such, the head of water in the tank 9C and the tank 9D is lower
than the head of water in the printing head 38. Due to this, it is
easy to suppress the ink in the vicinity of the nozzles 42 from
being pressurized by the ink which is contained in the tank 9C and
the tank 9D. As a result, it is possible to suppress ink from
flowing out from the nozzles 42.
[0080] Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, the connection sections 115 of
the tanks 9 are higher than the liquid surface 171 even when the
liquid surface 171 inside the tanks 9 which belong to the second
group 174 is higher than the nozzle formation section 44 in the
second posture. That is, in Embodiment 2, the supply openings 116
(FIG. 9) of the tanks 9 are higher than the liquid surface 171 even
when the liquid surface 171 inside the tanks 9 which belong to the
first group 173 is higher than the nozzle formation section 44 in
the second posture. Due to this, it is easy for pressure due to the
head of water of the ink which is contained in the tank 9A and the
tank 9B to block the liquid supply openings 116. For this reason,
it is easy to suppress the ink in the vicinity of the nozzles 42
from being pressurized by the ink which is contained in the tank 9A
and the tank 9B. As a result, it is possible to suppress ink from
flowing out from the nozzles 42. As a result of the above, in
Embodiment 2, it is possible to reduce the possibility that ink
flows out from the nozzles 42 even when the flow path for ink
between the tanks 9 and the printing head 38 is not closed off in
the second posture.
[0081] In the aspects which are realized in the configuration in
Embodiment 2 described above, the tanks 9 which belong to the first
group 173 and the tanks 9 which belong to the second group 174 are
disposed in a symmetrical manner so as to interpose the nozzle
formation section 44 of the printing head 38. The tanks 9 which
belong to the first group 173 and the tanks 9 which belong to the
second group 174 are positioned in a symmetrical manner to each
other so as to interpose the nozzle formation section 44 of the
printing head 38 along the Y axis. From another point of view, the
tanks 9 which belong to the first group 173 and the tanks 9 which
belong to the second group 174 are symmetrical with regard to a
hypothetical region 175 where a region between the front end 45 and
the rear end 46 of the nozzle formation section 44 extends in a
direction (a direction which extends in the X axis) which
intersects with the front and rear direction (a direction which
extends in the Y axis) which is a direction which links the front
end 45 and the rear end 46. That is, the tanks 9 which belong to
the first group 173 and the tanks 9 which belong to the second
group 174 are positioned in a symmetrical manner with regard to the
hypothetical region 175.
[0082] By adopting this way of disposing the tanks 9 in Embodiment
2, it is possible to reduce the possibility that ink flows out from
the nozzles 42 even when the flow path for ink between the tanks 9
and the printing head 38 is not closed off in both the first
posture (FIG. 16) and the second posture (FIG. 17). In addition, by
adopting this way of disposing the tanks 9, it is possible for the
tanks 9 which belong to the first group 173 and the tanks 9 which
belong to the second group 174 to be disposed to line up in the
front and rear direction so as to interpose the printing head 38.
Here, in Embodiment 2, the tanks 9 which belong to the first group
173 correspond to the first liquid containing section and the tanks
9 which belong to the second group 174 correspond to the second
liquid containing section. In addition, in Embodiment 2, the number
of the tanks 9 which belong to the first group 173 and the number
of the tanks 9 which belong to the second group 174 are not limited
to two and may be one or may be three or more.
[0083] In Embodiment 2, the four tanks 9 which configure the tank
unit 5 are provided to be independent from each other. However, the
configuration of the tank unit 5 is not limited to this. It is
possible to adopt a configuration as the configuration of the tank
unit 5 where, for example, the four tanks 9 which configure the
tank unit 5 are integrated. As the configuration where the four
tanks 9 are integrated, it is possible to adopt a configuration
where, for example, the four tanks 9 are integrated by being linked
(bonded) together. In addition, as the configuration where the four
tanks 9 are integrated, it is also possible to adopt a
configuration where, for example, the four tanks 9 are integrally
formed in an integral formation or the like and the inner sections
are partitioned into four chambers. In this case, each of the four
chambers which are configured due to the inner section being
partitioned corresponds to the liquid containing sections. In
addition, the number of the liquid containers and the liquid
containing sections may be a plurality (two or more) or may be just
one.
[0084] In each of the embodiments described above, the liquid
ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which
consumes a liquid other than ink due to the liquid being ejected,
discharged, or applied. Here, as states of the liquid which is
discharged from the liquid ejecting apparatus as liquid droplets
which are extremely small amounts, granular shapes, tear shapes,
and drawn-out thread shapes are included. Here, it is sufficient if
the liquid is a material which it is able to be consumed by the
liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it is sufficient if the
liquid is in a state when a substance is in a liquid phase and
includes liquids with high or low viscosity, sols, gels, and other
fluids such as inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions,
liquid resins, and liquid metals (molten metals). In addition, not
only liquids where a substance is in one state but also particles
of a functional material which are formed of solid matter such as
pigments and metal particles being dissolved, dispersed, or mixed
into a solvent and the like are also included. As a typical example
of the liquids other than ink which is described in the embodiments
described above, liquid crystals and the like can be exemplified.
Here, ink encompasses various types of liquid compositions such as
typical water-based inks and oil-based inks, gel inks, and hot melt
inks. As detailed examples of liquid ejecting apparatuses, there
are, for example, liquid ejecting apparatuses which eject liquid,
which include electrode materials or materials such as colorants
having been dispersed or dissolved, which are used in the
manufacturing of liquid crystal displays, EL (electro luminescent)
displays, field emission displays, color filters, and the like. In
addition, the liquid ejecting apparatuses may be liquid ejecting
apparatuses which eject bioorganic material which is used in
manufacturing biochips, liquid ejecting apparatuses which are used
as precision pipettes and which eject liquid samples, textile
printing apparatus, micro dispensers, or the like. Furthermore, the
liquid ejecting apparatuses may be liquid ejecting apparatuses
which eject lubricating oil in a pin point manner in precision
machinery such as clocks and cameras or liquid ejecting apparatuses
which eject a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet
curing resin liquid onto a substrate in order to form a small
semispherical lens (an optical lens) which is used in optical
communication elements or the like. In addition, the liquid
ejecting apparatuses may be liquid ejecting apparatuses which eject
an etching liquid such as an acid or an alkali in order to carry
out etching on a substrate or the like.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0085] 1 LIQUID EJECTING SYSTEM, 3 PRINTER, 5 TANK UNIT, 6 FIRST
CASE, 7 SECOND CASE, 9 TANK, 10 CONSTITUENT UNIT, 11 SHEET
DISCHARGE SECTION, 13 FRONT SURFACE, 15 UPPER SURFACE, 17 OPERATION
PANEL, 18A POWER SOURCE BUTTON, 18B OPERATION BUTTON, 19 SIDE
SECTION, 21 WINDOW SECTION, 23 FRONT SURFACE, 25 UPPER SURFACE, 27
SIDE SECTION, 28 UPPER LIMIT MARK, 29 LOWER LIMIT MARK, 31
ATTACHMENT PIN, 32 SUPPORT FRAME, 33 ATTACHMENT PIN, 35 PRINTING
SECTION, 36 SUPPLY TUBE, 37 CARRIAGE, 38 PRINTING HEAD, 39 RELAY
UNIT, 41 NOZZLE SURFACE, 42 NOZZLE, 43 NOZZLE ROW, 44 NOZZLE
FORMATION SECTION, 45 FRONT END, 46 REAR END, 51 TRANSPORT ROLLER,
53 MOTOR, 55 TIMING BELT, 61 CASE, 63 SHEET MEMBER, 64 BONDING
SECTION, 65 CONTAINING SECTION, 67 COMMUNICATION SECTION, 68 AIR
CHAMBER, 73 COMMUNICATION PATH, 80 BASE WALL, 81 FIRST WALL, 82
SECOND WALL, 82A INNER WALL, 83 THIRD WALL, 84 FOURTH WALL, 85
FIFTH WALL, 86 SIXTH WALL, 87 SEVENTH WALL, 91 RECESS SECTION, 99
RECESS SECTION, 101 INK INTRODUCTION SECTION, 105 OVERHANG SECTION,
105A, 105B, 105C, 105D PART, 108 GROOVE, 109 RECESS SECTION, 111
EIGHT WALL, 112 NINTH WALL, 113 TENTH WALL, 114 SUPPLY SECTION, 115
CONNECTION SECTION, 116 SUPPLY OPENING, 118 AIR COMMUNICATION
OPENING, 121, 122 COMMUNICATION OPENING, 131 RECESS SECTION, 132
OPENING, 133 SIDE WALL, 141 INK, 143 CAP, 151 FIRST FLOW PATH, 152
SECOND FLOW PATH, 153 THIRD FLOW PATH, 154 FOURTH FLOW PATH, 155
FIFTH FLOW PATH, 156 SIXTH FLOW PATH, 161 REVERSE SECTION, 162
CURVE SECTION, 163 CURVE SECTION, 164 CURVE SECTION, 165 REVERSE
SECTION, 166 CURVE SECTION, 171 LIQUID SURFACE, 173 FIRST GROUP,
174 SECOND GROUP, 175 HYPOTHETICAL REGION, P PRINTING MEDIUM
* * * * *